Illustrated cover showing a child arriving at an apartment doorway with an adult in a large blue coat and backpack. Another child stands inside the warmly lit doorway. The title “The Playdate” appears in soft, multicolored lettering below.

The Playdate

Written by

Uje Brandelius

Illustrated by

Clara Dackenberg

Translated by

Nichola Smalley

About this story

For one little girl, the prospect of a playdate at her friend Henry’s house fills her with excitement.

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For one little girl, the prospect of a playdate at her friend Henry’s house fills her with excitement. To get to Henry’s house, they have to take a bus, then the underground, then change to another line, then a bus, and then walk for a bit, but it’s worth it because Henry’s house has millions of rooms to hide in and hundreds of toys to play with.

But while the text tells one story, the illustrations slowly reveal another. As the kids tear around the house enjoying each other’s company, their mums experience the playdate very differently. Soon we find that the little girl and her friend Henry live lives that are poles apart.

A powerful story about friendship across economic divides that encourages readers to question why we live in a society where those who have and those who have not live very different lives.

“The story approaches the child’s and mother’s lives with empathy, imbuing both with dignity. A frankly told, child’s-eye view of the intersection of friendship and socioeconomic status.”

- Kirkus Reviews